The Cambodia U22 national team faced off against Myanmar on May 7, losing 2-0 in their third Group A match of the ongoing 32nd SEA Games. Hong Menea
Sao Sokha, president of the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC), has heeded the calls of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Kingdom’s countless football fans and rescinded his resignation from the post.
“I accept the appeals of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Kingdom’s football lovers, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, our sponsors, the media, and all of the foreign friends who convinced me to continue my mandate as elected head of the FFC,” he said in a statement released late on May 8.
“In response to the trust of the prime minister and all football fans in Cambodia, I appeal to all clubs to continue to reform and develop all sections of football in Cambodia. Together, we will continue to build health, friendship and national dignity through future international football competitions,” he added.
Hun Sen had earlier requested that Sokha reverse his resignation and continue to lead the FFC.
Sokha is also deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and commander of the national gendarmerie.
On the night of May 7, Sokha had announced his resignation via his official Facebook page, saying “dignity must come with responsibility”.
That announcement came just an hour after the Cambodia U22 national team lost 2-0 to Myanmar in their third Group A match of the ongoing 32nd SEA Games.
“After the defeat in Group A of the tournament, I will respect my promise. To prove my responsibility, I announce my resignation from the FFC presidency from the night of Sunday, May 7 and I hand the role over to Khieu Sameth, vice-president of the FFC, to serve as acting president from now,” he said.
He also begged for understanding for his decision from Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron and football fans across Cambodia.
In an audio message addressed to Sokha and shared via his social media channels on May 8, Hun Sen said that he and the public had noted the excellent progress of Cambodian football, especially the national team, in recent years.
“His resignation offers only regrets to himself and the public,” he said.
“I myself also express regret and note that since Sokha has taken his position, Cambodian football has gradually improved. Although the results of the matches were not always what we would have liked, we have improved steadily over the years he has been in charge,” he added.
He said there are many nations that do not achieve the football results as their fans desire, while also noting that there are countries with populations of hundreds of millions, or even billions, that were not as strong as Cambodia.
“We have a population of, say, 17 million, so for us to achieve what we have is already good in the eyes of the Cambodian people. We used to be on the bottom of the list, and have improved steadily since then,” he said.
“As the prime minister of Cambodia, I appeal to Sokha to remain FFC president. This is not a personal matter,but the whole government appeals to him to continue.
“This is also the wish of countless football players, both men and women, and the many members of the general public who are football fans,” he added.
Hun Sen said Sokha has worked closely with him for 46 years. As prime minister, he could not issue an order but felt the need to make the request, on behalf of Cambodian people and for the sake of the nation.
Keo Remy, president of the Cambodia ITF Taekwondo Federation (CITF), described Sokha’s contribution to football in Cambodia as huge.
“He captured people’s aspirations through football. When he first took the job, he had to hand out bread as an incentive for people to attend matches. Now, people flock to the games,” he said in a May 8 social media video.
“People even climb over the fences to watch matches now, which is a sign of what a great job he has done. No one could have led the football federation better than he has. I think the government should try to motivate him to carry on in the role, and I fully support his reinstatement,” he added.
Sokha first hinted at his resignation several days ago, when Cambodia’s Young Kouprey drew 1-1 with the Philippines.
“I have been trying for more than 10 years to raise Cambodia’s fame through football. If the U22 team cannot make it through the group stages, I, in the spirit of responsibility as president of the FFC, will resign immediately,” he wrote on May 2.
Cambodia currently sits third on the Group A table with 4 points, and is due to meet group leaders Indonesia, who hold 9 points. Their last hope of qualification for the finals is a victory over Indonesia, and for the Philippines to defeat second-placed Myanmar.
The final group stage matches are scheduled for May 10.
